With the District One play offs opening up Friday night,
Metrohoops has come up with a preview of the tournament.
By
Gregory Goettner
The
Favorite:
(2) Chester Clippers
(19-5)
The Clippers have owned
District One in the past five seasons by capturing five consecutive district
titles in a row. The Clippers back court consists of the speedy 5’8 junior
Karon Burton and Penn Wood High School transfer Micah Covert. These
two guards make up one of the best back courts in the District along with fellow
senior Robert Redd. The front court for the Clippers isn’t too shabby
either starting with American Christian transfer 6’5 junior Nasir Robinson.
Robinson has recently announced that he will continue his basketball career at
the University of Pittsburgh. Joining Robinson are junior Russell Johnson,
junior Brandon Robinson, sophomore Rahlir Jefferson, and
junior Raheem Bowman. Even though the Clippers have lost four out of
their last ten, their schedule included three of the top teams in the Mid
Atlantic (Harrisburg, Schenley, and St. Patrick of New Jersey)
Biggest wins of the
season: Plymouth Whitemarsh, Prep Charter, Glen Mills twice
Toughest opponent on the
road to the semi-finals: I hate to say it but, I do not see any team in
Chester’s bracket knocking them off before the semi finals.
The Contenders:
(1) Upper Darby Royals
(22-2)
The Royals come into the
District play offs after one of their best seasons in school history. The Royals
are seeded #1 in the District and currently riding an 11 game win streak. The
Royals have used a balance scoring attack all season long led by Khayri
West, Damon Armstead, Clinton Cole, and Eric Daniel.
Biggest wins of the
season: Lower Merion twice, Glen Mills, Ridley
Toughest possible
opponent on the road to the semi finals: Lower Merion
(4) Pennsbury Falcons
(21-3)
The Falcons are led by
two Division One college prospects 6’9 Lavoy Allen (Temple) and super
sophomore 6’4 Dalton Pepper. Pepper and Allen are one of the best inside
outside combinations in the District and have the potential to take over games,
like they did earlier this year against. St. Joseph Prep where they combined for
43 of the Falcons 57 points. Pepper and Allen will need help from 6’9 Kevin
Gallagher, Derek Wright, and Mike Avilves
if they want to win a District championship. The
Falcons freshman point guard Jesse Kransa has been improving every game
and with such a tough schedule this year it should really help him and his
Pennsbury team make some noise in the District play-offs. Pennsbury does have a
possible chance to avenge an earlier season loss to Council Rock North in
the second round.
Biggest wins of the
season: St. Joseph Prep, Academy of the New Church, Bishop O’Connell
(VA), Lower Merion
Toughest possible
opponent on road to the semi finals: Plymouth Whitemarsh
(5) Plymouth Whitemarsh
Colonials (22-2)
Even though the Colonials have
lost to both Chester (Double OT) and Pennsbury this season, don’t count this
team out on making a run for the District title. Leading the Colonials is point
guard Lance Wilson and Hartford signee Anthony Minor. The
Colonials are explosive offensively and can put up points on opponents quickly.
The key for Plymouth Whitemarsh will be the interior play of senior center
Greg Maugle and the outside shooting of Mike Acquaviva. Plymouth
Whitemarsh may get another shot at Pennsbury this post season as these
two teams will more then likely meet up in the quarter finals.
Biggest wins of the
season: St. Joseph Prep, Bishop O’Connell (VA)
Toughest possible
opponent on road to the semi finals: Pennsbury
(8) Lower Merion Aces
(18-6)
The defending PIAA “AAAA” state
champions bring back two starters from last years title team; sophomore 6’6
Greg Robbins and point guard Eric Barefield. Lower Merion is probably
the most dangerous team for Chester in the District. The Aces started off the
season slumping with Robbins going down with an ankle injury but everything
turned around for Gregg Downer’s team when they defeated Chester at The Jameer
Nelson Classic in double overtime. Since then the Aces are 13-3 . Two key
members of the Aces success are junior Carl Johnson and Eric Stahler.
In order to go deep into the District play offs the Aces will probably have
to run into division rival Upper Darby in the quarter finals.
Biggest wins of the
season: Chester, Communications Tech, Ridley
Toughest possible
opponent(s) on the road to the semi finals: Glen Mills, Upper Darby
Sleepers: (6) West
Chester Henderson, (7) Ridley, (9) Glen Mills, (10) Central Bucks West
Potential Cinderella team:
(19) Methacton
First Round Match ups:
Friday, February 16, 2007
(1) Upper Darby vs. (32)
Bensalem
(16) Norristown vs. (17)
Wissahickon
(8) Lower Merion vs. (25)
Oxford
(9) Glen Mills vs. (24)
Cheltenham
(4) Pennsbury vs. (29) Academy
Park
(13) Council Rock North vs.
(20) West Chester East
(5) Plymouth Whitemarsh vs.
(28) Penn Wood
(12) Central Bucks East vs.
(21) Central Bucks South
(2) Chester vs. (31) Bishop
Shanahan
(15) Haverford vs. (18)
Interboro
(7) Ridley vs. (26) North Penn
(10) Central Bucks West vs.
(23) Unionville
(3) Souderton vs. (30)
Hatboro-Horsham
(14) Downingtown West vs. (19)
Methacton
District One Play Off
Predictions: I figured I would have some fun, here are some my
predictions on what is going to happen during the tournament.
Eight State Qualifiers:
Pennsbury
Chester
Lower Merion
West Chester Henderson
Plymouth Whitemarsh
Upper Darby
Ridley
Souderton
Final Four:
Lower Merion vs. Pennsbury
Chester vs. West Chester
Henderson
Championship
Chester vs. Pennsbury
The Pick:
Pennsbury Falcons – I think the
Clippers run as District a champion is over. Pennsbury has the right personnel
and coaching to knock of the Clippers. The Falcons, who play a half court set
offense, have slowed down teams such as Plymouth Whitemarsh and Academy of the
New Church and I believe they will be able to slow down Clippers. What I really
like about Pennsbury is how they finish games; in all of their big games this
season Pennsbury has ended the game strong. Pennsbury ended the game against
Academy of the New Church on a 9-0 run and earlier this season against Plymouth
Whitemarsh on an 11-0 run.
Here is the District One play
off bracket link:
http://www.district-one.net/brackets/boysbasketballAAAA.htm
Follow all of the District
One action here at Metrohoops!
Feel free to e-mail Greg with
your predictions and comments at
greg@metrohoops.com
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